Traditional rulers and community leaders in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by neighbouring Ogun State over the ownership of the oil-rich Eba Island located along the boundary of the two states.
Both states have recently been at loggerheads over the island, with each laying claim to the resource-rich territory.
The Ogun State Government earlier reaffirmed its territorial authority over the island, stating that it falls within the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and dismissing Ondo’s claims as misleading and capable of causing unnecessary communal tension.
However, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, described the claim as “astonishing,” insisting that official documents and years of administrative control recognise the island as part of Ondo State.
In response to the dispute, Ilaje monarchs under the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene in order to prevent a possible communal crisis.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Thursday and jointly signed by the committee’s chairman and secretary, Oba Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahinland, and Oba Femi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom.
According to the monarchs, claims from traditional rulers in the Ogun Waterside and Ijebu areas are historically inaccurate and contradict long-standing administrative and geographical records. They maintained that Eba Island belongs to the Sunshine State.
“Eba Island, alongside Atijere and several surrounding settlements, has historically formed part of Ilaje land and remains under the jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,” the statement partly read.
The monarchs explained that historical records identify the pre-colonial boundary between the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu axis at the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that still exists.
They added, “Regarding the land dispute between Ogun and Ondo State, the way forward is to make the Federal and state governments aware that Eba Island is in Ilaje land in Atijere, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State. We want a committee to be set up to prevent a crisis.
“We respect the Federal Government and the President of Nigeria for what is being done and trust that equity and justice will prevail. Our message to the Ogun Government is that they should remain where they are; we will not allow them to claim illegitimate lands. If the issue is unresolved, we are ready to pursue legal avenues. At the end of the day, if there is no compromise, the legal route will be followed.”
The monarchs also pointed to electoral evidence, noting that Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, located within the Eba Island Forest Reserve, fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government Area.
They argued that the existence and operation of these polling units within Nigeria’s electoral structure further confirm Ilaje’s long-standing administrative control over the area.
Recalling historical developments, the monarchs stated that when the Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and surrounding communities were already part of the district. They added that the establishment of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and neighbouring settlements under its jurisdiction, strengthening their administrative ties to Ilaje land.
They further explained that when Atijere became the headquarters of the Ilaje District Council in 1955, Eba Island and its environs were placed under its authority, a status that has continued through later administrative arrangements, including the creation of Ilaje Local Government.
Also speaking, the monarch of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye, urged the Federal Government and the affected states to hold a roundtable meeting to address the issue.
“There might be a need for both states to come to a roundtable discussion and be frank with each other. If they are not sincere or try to access resources that do not belong to them, the problem may persist.
“There should be a meeting point where both communities and state governments will sit down, look at all issues, and resolve them amicably. I believe God will give us the wisdom to do so,” he said.
While expressing support for oil exploration and development in the Eba area, the Ilaje monarchs said they would strongly resist any attempt to annex Ilaje land.
They also called for an on-site investigation involving representatives of the affected communities and both state governments.
